Posts Tagged ‘Review’
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin was a good read! Read the rest of this entry »
So, part of “getting into” anything is dipping your toe and enjoying and then finding out more about the “landscape”. Having enjoyed quite a few cigars this year, I decided to venture into actually finding out something about them. Can you imagine? Read the rest of this entry »
I was SO excited when a friend started a session with several gifts; among them “Beloved Vampire” by Joey W. Hill.
OMG! She writes the hottest books and scenes. This is the third book about a world where vampires exist and play. The first two (The Mark of the Vampire Queen and The Vampire Queen’s Servant) were incredible. Typically, I don’t really like vampire books. They are rife with cheesy crap, clichés, and boring superficial reading. I am NOT a teenager! Read the rest of this entry »
The Thirteen Tale, by Diane Setterfield.
First, I have been ignoring this book in the bookstore for quite some time. I thought was a book that I had tried to read in the late 90’s. FINALLY gave it a chance recently and REALLY enjoyed it. As it turns out the copyright says 2006!
If you are looking to know what the 13th tale is . . . you will have to read closely. In fact, I missed it. I have a guess . . . but that is all. The book is about an amateur biographer who is asked to write the biography of the most well known novelist of the time. The story is layered, interesting, and unique; without being a “bookclub” book. I read for enjoyment; not to cry about someone else’s history!
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The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos is a mystery novel taking place over 30+ years. It follows the path of several characters and how the intersect with two dead bodies; it tells the underground tale of oppression, fear and bigotry; and leads the reader on a convoluted path of “justice”.
This was a good read, not a great one; but MUCH more than something for the plane. The plot was well developed, intricate, unique, and interesting. As for the characters . . . while voluminous and one of a kind; they were a little flat. It was hard to get to know them and really care about them in fewer than 400 pages.
Also, there are book club questions at the end. I read for PLEASURE and ESCAPISM (same reason I watch movies); I don’t usually enjoy book club sort of books. Honestly, this is NOT that sort of story; but, I am sure the questions are an attempt to get this to appeal to a different market. Do not be dissuaded by them.
I am hoping there is a sequel; not all the questions were answered.
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Saturday night, sled and I decided to enjoy a cigar and ignore that it was 56° outside. We bundled up and did our usual thing . . . sat on the deck with our cigar tray. I did slightly reorganize the lounge chairs and the table for a better experience. We are discussing getting an outdoor heater so that we can continue to enjoy the cigars as the temperature drops (yeah!) for winter.
sled was having “special import” cigar that turned out to be lackluster; truly a shame. I, on the other hand, found another 5! The La Fontana pucci was incredible. This is small, long, thin stick with a mellow (perhaps leathery) flavor. To Me it was mild; but they say it is medium bodied. I like the Alec Bradley . . . so maybe that is the difference. sled’s comment on the AB was that he was MAN ENOUGH to smoke that and immediately spit it out. So, I guess I like LOTS of flavor. Really, this was a great smoke that I truly enjoyed. The ONLY thing that perhaps could have been better was the ash. I like Birch looking ash; this one was dark grey.
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Overall: .
Link: Cuesta Rey Maduro.
Size: Centenario No. 5
Filler: Dominican Rebuplic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Lighting: . EASY to light.
Ash: . OMG, PERFECT. Looked like a gorgeous birch tree AND held on forever!
Burn: . It burned nicely and had lots of smoke.
Taste: . Strong heavy leathery flavor.
Other: At the beginning, I wanted to give this cigar a 4.25. After considering all the aspects the I rate and my experience I had only ONE option! 5. I would put it up there with my other favorites: My Family, Tatueje, and Alec Bradley.
See sled’s review of Don Pepin Garcia Tabacos Baez.
Overall: .
Link: Sancho Panza Double Maduro.
Size: Cervantes
Lighting: . EASY to light.
Ash: . Nice, but nothing special.
Burn: . It burned nicely and had lots of smoke.
Taste: . Strong heavy flavor that I liked. Was a good basic, heavy cigar; nothing special about the flavor.
Other: I didn’t try the nose tasting as I have found it is too much for me with the heavier flavored cigars. The band is so uninspiring that it is a turn off; for both sled and I.
Another book that sled was assigned for basic reading is Master/slave Relations: Handbook of Theory and Practice by Robert J. Rubel, PhD. I was lucky enough to get a copy with a Foreword by Jay Wiseman, PhD. sled and I had an opportunity to spend some time with Jay while he was in Atlanta recently (and we look forward to seeing him in October at DomCon Atlanta; sled is also an attorney (District Attorney); so they had lots to talk about, theory, practice, and reality.
This is another good foundational book for beginning a journey into BDSM or D/s. It offers basic insight, structure, and footing for an entrance into the “lifestyle”. Additionally, it is good for a more experienced person as a reminder.
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